Simply 7 Snacks - Simply Delicious! Review and Giveaway

 

 My New Year's resolution to eat healthier got much easier after I discovered Simply 7 Snacks. I have to admit that's one area where it's not been that easy -- finding healthy snacks that taste really good as well.

These are pretty addictive though! Super crispy and flavorful, it's hard to put them down ;).

Simply 7 Snacks are made in Houston, Texas, located close to a port to easily get authentic ingredients from around the world.

At Simply 7, they're committed to making great-tasting, wholesome snacks, wanting chips that are both delicious and nutritious. All of their snacks are made according to their "7 Core Standards" :

1. 0 Grams Trans Fat
2. No Artificial Colors or Flavors
3. No Preservatives
4. Gluten Free Ingredients
5. All Natural Recipes
6. Simple Ingredients
7. Simpy Delicious

So, what do they taste like you ask? Well, when I first heard that Simply 7 made Hummus Chips and Lentil Chips, I wasn't sure. But, they far surpassed my wildest expectations. Light, fluffy, crisp and satisfying, they are full of flavor and natural goodness. And they taste amazing! For some reason, I thought they might have a heavier taste, but not at all. Instead, they are really light and something I feel good after eating.

Check out the flavors they come in:

Lentil Bruschetta
Lentil Sea Salt
Lentil Creamy Dill

Hummus Tomato Basil
Hummus Spicy Chili Pepper

Hummus Sea Salt

It's hard to pick a favorite, but mine is the Lentil Creamy Dill. It's like taking a delicious light chip and dipping it in tzatziki, a taste I remember well from Greece. Tzatziki is yogurt-based with cucumber and dill and I've never found a chip that captured the taste so well. They just melt in your mouth. All the chips are Non-GMO and the Lentil Chips have 40% less fat than potato chips.

But, that's not to say the others aren't delicious, because the Lentil Bruschetta is quite amazing as well. These chips really remind me of bruschetta itself with tomato, basil and veggies. How do they get so much flavor in there and be so natural? It's a delicious mystery to me. This flavor is also Vegan.

The Lentil Sea Salt is Vegan as well and you get more of the delicious lentil taste shining through with just a pinch of sea salt. These are really good with Hummus dip, Spinach and Avocado Dip or straight from the bag.

My favorite of the Hummus chips is the Hummus Spicy Chili Pepper. The Hummus chips have 50% less fat than potato chips and the Chili has a nice smoky flavor. They are spicy but not too spicy. They really satisfy!

The Hummus Tomato Basil and Hummus Sea Salt are delightful as well.

I was really thrilled to receive this cornucopia of savoriness to review and the wonderful folks at Simply 7 are offering one of my readers a case full as well so you can snack to your heart's delight. Each flavor of chip has a specific dip recipe on the back of the package that would pair great with that chip. You can see other recipes on their website and mix-and-match to find out what combination you really like.

You will get:

• A case of 6 4-oz bags and 6 5-oz bags (54 ounces total)
• 3 flavors of Hummus Chips: Sea Salt, Spicy Chili Pepper and Tomato Basil
• 3 flavors of Lentil Chips: Sea Salt, Creamy Dill and Bruschetta
• No trans fats, Nothing artificial, Gluten free ingredients
• Made from real lentil flour and chickpea flour

You can find Simply 7 at Amazon or check out the store locator on their website to see where they are sold.

Connect with them here!

Simply7 Snacks Website   (You can also grab a $1 off coupon there)
Facebook
Twitter

Just follow the Rafflecopter and best of luck!


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Disclosure: I was provided samples by the sponsor for review but the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Bella Viva Orchards - a review and a Sweet Giveaway!

  On my travels online, one of the best places I've found is Bella Viva Orchards.  And, for those who haven't heard of them yet, I'd love to introduce them to you.

Located in Northern California, you can find the Martino family's sustainable orchards. They produce amazingly delicious fresh and dried fruit, nuts and chocolate. From there, they are sold at local farmer's markets, select restaurants and, luckily for us, online to customers across the country. Bella Viva takes extreme care to produce the highest quality and they supervise everything themselves, from growing to packaging and delivery.

Bella Viva means beautiful long life in Italian and the orchards were named for the Martino daughters, Vivian and Belle.

Martha Stewart featured Bella Viva as her "secret source" for holiday host gifts after discovering them at the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market in San Francisco and it's clear to me why. You can check out her video and see some of their delicious and beautiful dried fruit here .

Bella Viva is incredibly kind and generous and sent me some of their dried fruits to taste.

I received:

organic dried white nectarines
organic dried pears
organic dried persimmons
and fabulous dried orange slices

They were all gorgeously packaged and beautiful to look at, like little works of art, but the best part was looking at the ingredients and seeing simply: Persimmons, pears, or nectarines -- no preservatives, no sugar added. And, let me just say that the taste was utterly amazing, so sweet, so delicious, better than any candy I've ever had. While some women may want jewelry or flowers for Valentine's Day, I'd be thrilled with Bella Viva dried fruit or their chocolate covered fruit! It's really that good and I love the fresh healthy taste. It's like no other dried fruit I've ever found. They make an amazing snack at any time and can also be used in recipes. The orange slices are my favorite so far. I really love oranges and these bring all the flavor. I put them in my tea also. Fabulous!

And, now that Valentine's Day is almost here, Bella Viva kindly sent me a special treat:


Simply irresistable Organic Dark Chocolate Cherries

Now, these are not those treacly sweet liquidy things from the drugstore.
These are premium Organic Dried Bing Cherries grown on the Bella Viva Orchards dipped in rich luscious organic dark chocolate. They are good sized cherries, moist with a bit of tartness. The sweet chocolate mixed with the tart cherries created an explosion of joy for my tastebuds. 




If you're searching around for an interesting Valentine's Day present, Bella Viva Organic Dark Chocolate Cherries make great gifts as they are beautifully packaged in 8 oz. gift bags. 

And, because they are so cool and so generous, Bella Viva has offered one of my readers the chance to win a bag of these delicious Organic Dark Chocolate Cherries as well.


Also, they are going to give my readers a 15% discount on anything at Bella Viva Orchards online. Just use the coupon code strangedaze which is good until March 10, 2012. How awesome is that? Check out these fruits - strawberries, apricots, mango, pineapple, apples, plums. I already have my next order in mind! 


You can also order wonderful gift baskets, chocolates, trail mix and nuts.

And check out the, just added, Valentine's Day specials.


So, to enter, just follow the Rafflecopter and good luck to all!







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Disclosure: I was provided product from the sponsor in order to do this review but all opinions are strictly mine.

8th Continent Soymilk - Contest and Giveaway (6 winners)

As I've mentioned before, my family loves 8th Continent Soymilk. We use it in cereal, in coffee and tea and for cooking.  I think it is one of the best tasting soymilks out there and I've tried the original, the Vanilla and chocolate flavors. The chocolate is especially yummy.

8th Continent soymilk is low in saturated fat and an alternative for those wishing to avoid lactose and gluten. Also, you can maintain a healthy heart and have a good source of protein and calcium. 8th Continent soymilk also contains vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12. Very healthy and delicious too.

I also wanted to share that they have a new sweepstakes out that is all about "Lookin' Good and Feelin' Good". They are hoping to promote the happiness and healthiness of  their consumers by offering tips and challenges on how to not only be physically healthy, but mentally as well. And, as far as I'm concerned the two go hand in hand.

Until April 17, 2012, you can visit their Facebook Fan Page or website and enter to win the grand prize of a five star luxury resort and spa getaway! How awesome is that! You can also vote on responses in the forums, share feedback and tips and encourage one another. You'll also receive a $1.00 off 8th Continent Soymilk coupon simply for entering!

In addition to the Grand Prize of an all-expenses paid trip, 10 first prize winners will receive a $2,500 physical education program donation to a school of their choice. Twenty second prize winners will receive a $1,000 physical education program donation and 50 third prize winners will receive a $500 physical education program donation to the school of their choice. Nearly 100 schools will benefit from the participation of Lookin’ Good Feelin’ Good entrants. I think that's really incredible. My Mom is a teacher and I so respect 8th Continent for giving back to our schools.

Also, you can follow 8th Continent on Twitter and like them on Facebook to get great recipes, craft ideas, coupons, and to keep up to date with the contest! They're extremely friendly!

And, because they're so cool, they've offered 6 lucky readers of Strange Daze Indeed the chance to win 2 coupons each for free cartons in any flavor they would like.

So, just follow the Rafflecopter and best of luck! There will be 6 winners.


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Disclosure: I received free 8th Continent Soymilk Coupons from the sponsor. The opinions expressed are my own.

Progresso® Souper You® Contest and Blog Giveaway

Mark Twain once said: "If you don't like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes."
Here I am in New England and though we have sun some days, others it has been downright chilly. But, one food that is both delicious and warming is Progresso soup! Though I do enjoy them throughout the year, they are also wonderful to help keep my New Year's resolutions to stay in shape and eat healthy through the colder months.

With 40 delicious soups with 100 calories or less per serving, Progresso Soup has a variety of offerings that help you beat diet boredom and satisfy your taste cravings, while helping you stick to your weight management calorie goals. Progresso soups are packed with hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, rice, meat and vegetables that suit your taste buds and make you feel good about including it in your meal choices. I'm a big fan of the Light Chicken Vegetable Rotini and the Homestyle Vegetable and Rice, and you'll also find  Zesty! Southestern-Style Vegetable and New England Clam Chowder along with Beef Pot Roast - all at 100 calories or less per serving. Super easy to make for a meal, you can just heat it up in a pot or the microwave. Although I do love to cook, lately it's harder and harder to fit in meals from scratch and Progresso is a great choice and one my family enjoys.

Are you ready for a new look this New Year?  Progresso is excited to announce the return of their Souper You Contest giving you the chance to win an incredible makeover! By telling Progresso why you deserve a makeover and what you love about their soup, you could have the chance to win an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood this Spring!

• This year, the Souper You Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season´s live finale of NBC´s The Biggest Loser.
• Progresso is asking fans to visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why they love Progresso soups and why they deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd
• Fans can check back on March 12th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th

Also, tune into The Biggest Loser on NBC Tuesdays at 8/7c!



For inspiration, check out this video of the 2011 winner's experience:


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And now for the blog giveaway. You will have a chance to win a Biggest Loser and Progresso Prize pack. One Strange Daze Indeed reader will win (2) VIP coupons for Progresso soup and a Biggest Loser exercise DVD so you can rock your New Year.

So, just follow the simple Rafflecopter form and best of luck!







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Disclosure: The Progresso® Souper You® prize pack, information, coupon, and giveaway have been provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark as well as soup and a dvd for my review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

CELTIC WOMAN/BELIEVE - RELEASE DAY GIVEAWAY - 1 SIGNED CD & 1 SIGNED DVD

 Celtic Woman is an all-female singing sensation featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt.  They perform classic Irish songs (“The Water Is Wide,” “Green Grow the Rushes"), timeless pop anthems (“Bridge Over Troubled Water"), and inspirational songs (“You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Ave Maria”) with their signature Celtic Woman twist.  The live concert DVD was filmed for the first time in America in front of some of their most loyal fans during two sold-out nights at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA this past September. 

 To celebrate today's release of the enchanting studio album and live concert DVD by Manhattan Records,  I have the pleasure to give away a signed copy of each - one cd and one dvd! I have to say that I am a great fan of Celtic music. It's so full of life and joy! Very uplifting and moving. These women remind me of Earth angels when they sing. 

Here is an example of one of my favorites from the cd/dvd - Teir Abhaile Riu. I have a hard time not getting up to dance when listening to this one.

To enter, simply follow the Rafflecopter!  OPEN TO US and CANADA. There will be two winners. 1st place is the signed dvd. 2nd place is the signed cd.



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USEFUL INFORMATION


BELIEVE: LIVE DVD PLAYLIST:

1. Awakening
2. Follow on
3. The Foxhunter
4. Nocturne
5. Sailing
6. Bridge Over Troubled Water
7. Black is The Colour
8. The World Falls Away
9. My Heart Was Home Again
10. A Tribute to Broadway. I Dreamed A Dream/ Circle of Life
11. Teir Abhaile Riu
12. A Woman's Heart
13. The Water Is Wide
14. Green Grow The Rushes
15. You'll Never Walk Alone
16. Smile
17. Walking The Night
18. A Spaceman Came Travelling
19. Ave Maria
20. Mna na hEireann
21. The Parting Glass
22. At The Ceili

Celtic Woman will also be on tour in the US this spring and in Europe this summer. Check out the dates and see if they are coming to an arena near you! 


You can buy both the cd and the dvd at Amazon beginining today, January 24, 2012.

CD Link
DVD Link

Connect!

Website
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
MySpace

 Disclosure: I was provided review copies in order to do this giveaway. Any opinions I've expressed are my own.

Shape Up in 2012! Kristin McGee 4 DVD Review and Giveaway - Yoga and Pilates ($60 value)

One of my New Year's resolutions is to find an exercise program I can stick with in Winter. Luckily, I met Kristin McGee online, where she is @thebendigirl on Twitter, and she was kind enough to send me four of her outstanding dvds to check out. I've been doing yoga for years and more recently got into Pilates, so these are perfect to warm up the New England chill and get me moving!

Since she sent me the dvds, I've been working out with them and it's not hard at all to stick with the routines since I enjoy them. I do feel more limber and especially feel stronger in my core. They give me a great workout and I love Kristin's friendly and encouraging manner.

Kristin has been a Yoga and Pilates instructor since 1996, and has provided special Yoga classes for athletes who participated in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Park City, Utah.  Kristin also choreographed and starred in MTV's first Yoga video as well as MTV's Power Yoga and MTV's Pilates videos. Her warm and fresh approach has made her a favorite for celebrity clients and she has been featured as a fitness expert on the CBS Early Show, Good Morning America, NBC's Today Show, CNN Headline News and Fox News. She is currently a Contributing Editor for Health Magazine and also Fila's Yoga Ambassador.

So, let's get to the DVD's. First of all is BENDIGIRL YOGA. Kristin developed this method to help everyone feel stronger and more alive and it's based on the belief that exercise can be fun and enjoyable when integrated into our lives.

 From the website: Bendigirl is a unique fusion approach to exercise, as well as a philosophy that embraces change, growth and positivity. Using several methods including yoga, pilates, and strength training, it offers greater benefits and a more efficient workout. It also acknowledges that your needs are different depending on your fitness level, phase in life, or even the day.

The Bendigirl Yoga dvd is yoga for kids done by kids with Kristin and is great if you want to get your children involved. It's also a workout that anyone can do. Boys, girls, adults...

Frome the website: Bendigirl Yoga is designed not only to get girls in shape, but also to build their confidence and create positive habits that will last a lifetime. With a modern, pop soundtrack featuring all original music, Bendigirl Yoga brings energy and fun to an exercise form that kids (and their mothers) might otherwise consider too boring to take up. McGee's ability to instruct without condescending helps make this a workout that young women can embrace as their own. 

My take: This is a fun and not too difficult yoga dvd that is very upbeat. It has routines that are easy to learn and there are fun partner poses. Get your kids involved or do it yourself!

The second dvd is POWER YOGA. This is more advanced and for those who perhaps already have been practicing yoga and want to take it to another level. I feel Kristin gives you an accessible workout that will strengthen and challenge you while uniting mind, breath and body. This one will hopefully help me get in bikini shape by next season ;). Kristin's flexibility, positivity and uplifiting encouragement is inspiring. The dvd has a really nice floor routine as well.




Next up is one of my favorites - YOGATONE presented by Kristin McGee and FILA. I find the direction, photography, and production values somewhat more interesting in this one and really like the background music by Tom Rossi. Kristin uses 5 lb weights in this workout, but what you decide to use is really up to you and the level you are at. The combination of yoga postures and strength training seems to work really well for me. It keeps me intrigued: calming my mind, working my core, challenging my balance, providing cardio and helping my body to become stronger and leaner. Yoga classes wouldn't work out for me right now and I love that I can do these at home and even increase the challenge over time.


And, my favorite of all is WEIGHT LOSS PILATES. I think it's because Pilates is my latest passion. It's funny how so many of the Pilates moves seem completely natural to me and some I've even done before I ever knew they were Pilates exercises.

I love this video for the great routines which provide amazing core work, cardio and strengthening. I'm not doing it for the weight loss, but if that is a side benefit, that's fine too! Kristin has some wonderful warm-ups and cool-downs as well to ease you in and out of the workouts. There are exercises you can do on the go and I often find myself doing some of them when waiting for something to cook on the stove, or waiting in line at the grocery store. I can feel my abs and my core getting stronger and it feels really good. Also, as a bonus with this DVD, you will get a booklet from Cooking Light with tips and recipes for a healthy lifestyle. 

So, my New Year is off to a great start because when I work out and do exercise I enjoy,  I find I feel much better in mind, body and spirit. As I do the Pilates, Yoga and tone, somehow it's easier to rebound from life's little curve balls and stay flexible. And Kristin is the epitome of flexible. I'm so glad to have met her.

Kristin is also very generous and has offered a reader of Strange Daze Indeed the same set of videos I received. You will get a set of 4 dvds:

1) Bendigirl Yoga
2) Power Yoga
3) Yoga Tone and
4) Weight Loss Pilates

so that you also can stay fit no matter what the season! The videos are also all available at Kristin's online shop and at Amazon.com.

Just use the friendly Rafflecopter to enter.


Some helpful links to connect with Kristin:

Her website
Her blog
Kristin's Facebook
Kristin's Twitter



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Disclosure: I was sent product to review from the sponsor but all opinions herein are my own.

Pom Poms Wonderful Fresh Arils - Ruby Red Seeds of Joy

And, just like that, I've discovered a new favorite! POM Wonderful was kind enough to send me their new product, POM POMS, delicious ruby red arils from California-grown Wonderful variety pomegranates. I didn't even know that the correct term was arils, but I had been eating pomegranate seeds for years. To be exact, each seed has a surrounding water-laden pulp— the edible aril— ranging in color from white to deep red or purple.

Now, with POM POMS, it's super-convenient and easy to get the delicious treasures inside the pomegranate.

You just remove the cover, which has a spoon attached, and you're ready to go.

They are, to me, natural bliss in a cup. Super refreshing, mildly tart and sweet, they remind me of eating fresh picked berries just after a rainfall.

The other night, I was up late, as I so often am, and needed something to perk me up to keep working. I didn't want coffee or caffeine, so I reached for the POM POMS. It was a healthy pick me up with no crash whatsoever.

I think these are great for a snack. I like to eat them right out of the cup, or mix them in yogurt or oatmeal. My favorite is to make a salad with mixed greens, chevre, walnuts and pomegranate arils. I then add a very light citrus vinaigrette. Really nice flavor and color.

Pomegranate seeds are very healthy - low in calories and carbohydrates with almost no fat and a good content of dietary fiber. They are a great source of vitamins and potassium, and they’re known for their powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols which can help prevent cell damage by free radicals.

POM POMS come in two sizes 4.3 oz and 8 oz cups and they are available now through February.

*Available from October through January.
*Look for them in the refrigerated section of the produce department.

Here is a $1.00 off coupon for anyone who would like to try them!

Enjoy!


 I was sent product to sample for this review, but the opinions expressed are my own.